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–+ servings
Angled shot of an apple snack cake, garnished with powdered sugar.

Apple Snack Cake

Put those extra apples to use with this apple snack cake, a simple yet satisfying dessert, cozy afternoon snack, or even breakfast (yes, it’s that good!). Brimming with tart apples, it’s perfect for embracing the flavors of fall.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course dessert, Snacks
Cuisine American
Servings 9 people

Ingredients
  

Apples

  • 2 pounds apples (approximately 3 apples) diced, ½ inch chunks
  • 2-3 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg or approximately ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg - approximate is okay
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice approximately ½ of 1 small lemon

Cake Batter

  • 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
  • 1⅔ cups plus granulated sugar + 3 tablespoons sugar for the top of the cake
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 3 tablespoons apple brandy optional
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup dark rye flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest approximately 1 small lemon
  • Powdered sugar for serving

Instructions
 

Prepare the Apples

  • Toss the diced apples in 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Set aside.

Make the Cake

  • In a large mixing bowl, take 1 ⅔ cup granulated sugar and the zest from 1 small lemon. Then, in the same bowl, cream the lemon sugar with 2 sticks of butter using a handheld mixer or fork.
  • Add 3 eggs and 1 egg yolk, one at a time. Also mix in 3 tablespoons apple brandy and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until combined.
  • In a medium bowl, sift together the dry ingredients: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup dark rye flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 ½ teaspoons salt,
  • Pour it into the bowl of wet ingredients, adding half of the mixture at a time and using a spatula or handheld mixture to combine until just incorporated. Do not overmix.
  • Grease an 8x8 ceramic baking dish and pour the cake batter into the pan, using a spatula to spread and smooth it. The batter will be thick.
  • Dump the apples evenly across the top of the cake and pour the juices over the top, sprinkling with 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
  • Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes at 325F, or until a knife inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
  • Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar right before serving.
Keyword apple cake, apple dessert, fall recipes, kid friendly, snacks
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